The JaM Youth Project’s second film combines lindy-hop style and old school values such as "reap what you sow" with fresh rhythms and diverse personalities of these talented tap dancers.

Interview with Directors Mark Orsborn & Jen Ray

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

The JaM Youth Project is a pre-professional tap dance company based in Washington, DC with passionate young dancers from all over the country. JYP provides opportunities for development through tap technique, choreography, performance, dancefilms, and master classes. "Farther Up the Road" is our second film which combines lindy-hop with tap dance to make something that is classic and contemporary at the same time.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

JYP’s pieces are truly created for the dancers – they are stories that they can connect to and honestly portray. For the audience, this is an upbeat, “can’t sit still” kind of film, with very efficient storytelling and exciting choreography, that doesn’t let you go for a second.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

This is a film featuring young dancers but the core values are those that transcend age, era, and the immediate story. We communicate through movement, but we do much more than entertain. JYP is focused on moving our audiences, inspiring thought, emotion, and conversation through tap dance and film.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

Our films are medium-specific and different from our live performances because we explore our environments, focus on details, use expressive camera movement, and rhythmic editing to create something entirely new.

Farther Up the Road

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Since we released FUTR, the feedback has been very positive. The film recently screened at tap dance festivals in both Maryland and Texas. It has also screened at CASCADIA Dance & Cinema Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival, & Los Angeles Dance Film Festival. We are excited to screen in March at the Philadelphia Screendance Festival as well.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

We are happy that the general public, those in our industry, parents, and young dancers themselves have collectively embraced FUTR. One consideration as to why our dancefilms are connecting with larger audiences is because we try to maximize the potential of dance to tell a story, in addition to being enjoyable to watch. We strive for clarity without compromising depth.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We would love for those who are interested in “Farther Up the Road” to follow our future projects, as we produce two films per year. Our audience can also find The JaM Project, the adult professional company, and Dancinema Productions, a gateway to various aspects of dancefilm.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We are always looking for more young tap dancers to join the JaMily, as well as performance opportunities for the company. We would really like to collaborate to create exciting new content for organizations and businesses that want to use movement, rhythm, and the power of dancefilm to further develop and promote their brands and messaging.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

We would like everyone to witness how kids can be kids and the work can still be interesting with wider audience appeal than just other kids. Our dancefilms capture young people in everyday activities and settings that celebrate the music and movement of life.

Farther Up the Road

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Consider the values of this film as they pertain to the journey of a life as a dancer, or any other collaborative effort. We all win when we work together rather than trying to get ahead by pushing others behind.

Also consider how JYP’s films maintain a broad appeal without capitalizing on contemporary trends, and by focusing on portraying universal experiences that people of many ages and backgrounds can connect to. We make our films with and for the youth; we don’t set our adult stories on younger dancers out of convenience.

Would you like to add anything else?

You can follow us on:

FB: The JaM Youth Project

Instagram: @jamyouthprojecttap

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

We are in post-production on our latest JYP film “If I Ruled the World”. Follow us online to stay posted on this and other releases to come!

The JaM Project is developing their live performance inspired by classic rock such as The Doobie Brothers and Chicago, a concept which was awarded at The Capezio ACE Awards Competition in 2016.

Dancinema is producing the CASCADIA Dance & Cinema Festival (Vancouver, BC – June 30 – July 2, 2017) and CAPITOL Dance & Cinema Festival (Washington, DC – August 18 – 19, 2017), which will include short and feature film screenings, performances, workshops, and forums. We are currently accepting submissions on FilmFreeway!

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Opportunites to Collaborate with Brands and Organizations, Distributors, Press, Performance Opportunities, and Dancers of course!

Producer / Funders: The JaM Youth Project

Made in association with: Dancinema Productions

Where can I see it in the next month?

It will be screening at the Philadelphia Screendance Festival (March 3 & 4, 2017)

About the writer, director and producer:

Mark Orsborn is a tap dancer, choreographer, and master teacher from Washington, DC. His choreography has been recognized by The Capezio ACE Awards, Dance Spirit, The Young Choreographers Festival, and the Fred and Adele Astaire Awards. Mark is the co-founder of The JaM Project.

Jen Ray’s company Dancinema is a true fusion of dance and film through productions, education, and events including films, workshops, performances, & the “Dance & Cinema Festival” series (Cascadia in Vancouver, BC, and Capitol in Washington, DC). Her films have been selected for Festivals internationally as well as KCET’s Global Dance Video Program and Dance Teacher Magazine.

Justin Myles is a multi-talented performer whose training and experience reflects are variety of genres and disciplines. Upon Graduating Point Park University, Justin toured with the international sensation STOMP! Most recently, he finished his second tour with the Australian-based Tap Dogs. Justin is the co-founder of The JaM Project.